Map editing with little user input

Abstract

A semi-automatic map editor may allow a user to add features to a map with a minimum of effort. In one example, a user may add a road to a map by indicating where the endpoints of the road are. A system may then attempt to fill in the path of the road using the user-provided endpoints, an analysis of an aerial or satellite photograph, existing maps that show the road, or any other appropriate information. Using this information, the system may display a proposed path for the road between the endpoints that the user has indicated. The user may then fine tune and/or confirm the proposed path, thereby adding the road to the map. In addition to roads, other feature such as bodies of water, ski trails, etc., may be added in this manner.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. One or more computer-readable memories that store executable instructions to edit a map, the executable instructions, when executed by a computer, causing the computer to perform acts comprising:
 receiving, from a user, location input that indicates a location of a feature to be added to a map; 
 making an estimate of a physical location of said feature, said estimate being based on said location input and on an analysis of a photograph of a region covered by said map, said estimate including a probability that said feature is located at said physical location, said probability being below a level at which it can be concluded that said feature is located at said physical location; 
 displaying said estimate to said user on said map; 
 receiving, from said user, an indication of adjustments to be made to said estimate; 
 receiving, from said user, an indication that said estimate, as modified by said adjustments, is where said feature is located on said map; and 
 adding said feature to said map by storing said feature in a database. 
 
     
     
       2. The one or more computer-readable memories of  claim 1 , said feature comprising a road that is not shown on said map, and said location input comprising endpoints or waypoints of said road. 
     
     
       3. The one or more computer-readable memories of  claim 1 , said feature comprising a geographic aspect of land covered by said map, and said location input comprising an indication of a central point in said geographic aspect. 
     
     
       4. The one or more computer-readable memories of  claim 1 , said estimate being further based on pre-existing data concerning said region, said pre-existing data concerning said region comprising another user's previous input of said feature. 
     
     
       5. The one or more computer-readable memories of  claim 1 , said feature comprising a road or trail, and said displaying of said estimate comprising displaying a curve or a set of line segments along a path of said road or trail. 
     
     
       6. The one or more computer-readable memories of  claim 1 , said acts further comprising:
 based on said feature's having been confirmed to exist, proposing locations of additional features on said map for said user to confirm or edit. 
 
     
     
       7. The one or more computer-readable memories of  claim 6 , said feature being a road, said additional features being cross-streets that intersect said road, said locations of additional features being proposed by indicating, with points on said map, intersections between said road and said cross-streets. 
     
     
       8. A method of editing a map, the method comprising:
 using a processor to perform acts comprising:
 displaying, to a user, a user interface that comprises a map; 
 receiving, from said user, location input that indicates a location of a feature to be added to said map; 
 making an estimate of a physical location of said feature, said estimate being based on said location input and on an analysis of a photograph of a region covered by said map, said estimate including a probability that said feature is located at said physical location, said probability being below a level at which it can be concluded that said feature is located at said physical location; 
 displaying said estimate to said user on said map; 
 receiving, from said user, an indication of adjustments to be made to said estimate; 
 receiving, from said user, an indication that said estimate, as modified by said adjustments, is where said feature is located on said map; and 
 adding said feature to said map. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , said feature comprising a road that is not shown on said map, and said location input comprising endpoints or waypoints of said road. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , said feature comprising a geographic aspect of land covered by said map, and said location input comprising an indication of a central point in said geographic aspect. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , said estimate being further based on pre-existing data concerning said region, said pre-existing data concerning said region comprising another user's previous input of said feature. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , said feature comprising a road, and said displaying of said estimate comprising displaying a curve or a set of line segments along a path of said road. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , said acts further comprising:
 based on said feature's having been confirmed to exist, proposing locations of additional features on said map for said user to confirm or edit. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , said feature being a road, said additional features being cross-streets that intersect said road, said locations of additional features being proposed by indicating, with points on said map, intersections between said road and said cross-streets. 
     
     
       15. A system for editing a map, the system comprising:
 a memory; 
 a processor; 
 a database; 
 a user interface generator that is stored in said memory and that executes on said processor, said user interface generator displaying a map to a user, said user interface generator comprising a map editor that receives, from said user, location input that indicates a location of a feature to be added to a map; and 
 a location estimator that is stored in said memory and that executes on said processor, and that makes an estimate of a physical location of said feature, said estimate being based on an analysis of a photograph of a region covered by said map, said estimate including a probability that said feature is located at said physical location, said probability being below a level at which it can be concluded that said feature is located at said physical location, said user interface generator displaying said estimate to said user on said map and receiving, from said user, an indication of adjustments to be made to said estimate, said system adding said feature to said map by storing said feature in said database. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , said feature comprising a road that is not shown on said map, and said location input comprising endpoints or waypoints of said road. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , said feature comprising a geographic aspect of land covered by said map, and said location input comprising an indication of a central point in said geographic aspect. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 15 , said estimate being further based on pre-existing data concerning said region, said pre-existing data concerning said region comprising another user's previous input of said feature. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 15 , said feature comprising a road or trail, and said user interface generator displaying of said estimate by displaying a curve or a set of line segments along a path of said road or trail. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 15 , said feature being a road, said system further comprising:
 a user input solicitation engine that, based on said road's having been confirmed to exist, proposes cross-streets that intersect said road by displaying, on said map, points of intersection between said road and said cross-streets.